Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-09-01
A NOBLE VICTORY.
FROM THE GERMAN, OF L. V. srUR

The waves bre6k on the shore of the
North sea. A sharp wind from the north
sweeps over its surface, driving the waves
high before it. On their crests rises and
sinks the whitefoam. How the water surges
forward, as if it would rush far into the
land. But again and again it retreats
from the white sand, only to return in
haste the next morning.
On the shore lies stretched out the
village of Husom. EvesY little house
stands by itself, often separated from it's
neighbor by a wide space of perhaps
fifty feet, which is generally made into a
garden, In which a few feeble plants draw
a scanty nobrishment from the ground.
With no less difficulty do the inhabitants
of Husom manage to get their living.
They are all fishermen, and the sea is
their real home, on which they go out for
miles TO cast their nets. When the sun
shines on a smooth surface it is an ex
hiIarating occupation, but when a sudden
storm springs up while the boats are far
from land and fog settles down upon
the water like a broad, heavy mantle,
then one understands how hard are the
conditions, and the perpetual danger at
tending the labor by which these men
earn their bread.
The sea runs high and most of the
boats have pulled in to land. Two men
are still working to save their property
in the same way. They are both young,
large, vigorous men, with sun-burned
faces and toil-hardened hands.
At last their boats too rest on the shore
firmly secured. Glars" said one of the
men Strengthening up and buttening his
jacket "This will be fierce blow, to-
night"
The other nodded: It is lucky that none
of US are out"
Meanwhile they have started homeward,
and stride along together in silence. The
only street of the village is quiet. 1t is
dark, here and there faint light CLEAN
ing from a little window.
They are passing small house, and,
almost as if by. a secret agreement, they
apRroach and glance through the lighted
win dow to the inside. An old man with
whit hair and beard sits in large arm
chair; his head has fallen forward on his
breRst-a picture of the life fast sinking
to resf> At the table, on the opposite
side, sits, in bright contrast young girl,
sewing-a fresh, lovely face, with round,
rosy cheeks, and luxuriant, fair hair.
Katie Mason is the prettiest girl in the
village, and the most Industrious, On
whom many a young fellow looks with
earnest glance. Early and late she is
busy, sup porting herself and her aged
father by her own han1s.
The loiterers at the window have turned
and gone on their way. At last Lars said:
"Good night. Cristoph," and crossed the
street to his home. He had heard the
reply to his greeting, and now waited and
listened, standing by the fence that in
closed h is little tract of ground. Girls
toph had not gone on, but had turned
back-for what? Lars felt a misgiving.
He, too, FASTENED back. The wind drives
full in his face, but he does not heed
it. Now he hears Cristoph's steps before
him, but can not see, for it is very dark.
There stands the little house where Katie
Mason lives. Cristoph stands by the
window. Lars sees him plainly in the
light of the lamp that falls full upon him.
He hears tap on the window, and now
Cristoph has his hand on the door, and
it opens before him.
"Thou, Cristoph? What brings thee
so later" asked Katie, holding ON to the
door, which the storm was shaking.
II was passing and saw thee sitting, so
| stopped to bid thee sleep WE'LL
'Thou dearr she said, putting out her
hand.
The wind seized the door thus set free,
and flung it wide open against the wall.
But Cristoph using all his strength, drew
the girl into the hall and closed the door.
, Lars grew hot under his coarse jacket;
hot in spite of the clustering wind. He
stepped close 20 the door and heard
speaking within, but could not distin-
guish anything. He waited his heart
filled with the pangs of jealousy. How
long he stood he knew not; it seemed an
eternity to him. At last the door opened
and Cristoph stepped out. sleep well,
dear girl" he whispered. "Good-by,
dear Cristoph." The key was turned
in the lock, Cristoph went home the Joy
of love requitted in his heart. The
other, too. turned homeward, but long
time passed before he reached the little
house.
They had grown up together-Lars,
Cristoph and Katie. The three played
together continually as children, and
Katie would be carried by no others or
drawn on the sled by none but Lars or
Cristoph. When they grew larger they
went to school together, and were con-
frmed together in the little church of
the neighboring village. No strife had
ever come between them, never had the
girl shown whether she preferred one of
the lads to the other. As these developed
INTO strong men, Katie bloomed into
stun greater beauty, as was apparent to
other young men of the village, and Rob
Steffel yentured to intimate as much. in
rOugn fashlon, to the girl. The follow
ing day his place in the boat was empty;
he was sick, his father said-the truth
was. Rob would not show his discolored
face. From that time the young fellows
held themselves aloof from Katie Mason.
But between Lars and Cristoph, the old
intimacy began to gradually diminish
They went with Katie to her first dance.
Who should be her first partner? They
disputed long over it, out of the girls
hearing, and at last, with hea ed faces,
appealed to her to choose between them.
Katie looked at them, and for the frat